Nelson's career day proves his worth

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson celebrate after hooking up for a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field.(Photo11: Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle)

Receivers bind together when a major milestone is within reach. Part of their own exclusive club, the excitement is a shared experience. So as Nelson's receiving yardage kept piling up on a historic day at Lambeau Field, Cobb kept him updated.

By the time the Green Bay Packers lined up for third-and-3 at their 35-yard line, Nelson knew the situation. His team, clinging to a touchdown lead inside the 2-minute mark, needed a first down to drain the clock and capture its first win of the season.

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) tries to elude New York Jets safety Antonio Allen (39) after making a catch in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) jars the ball loose while putting a hit on New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs towards the end zone for a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers tackle David Bakhtiari (69) gets into a scuffle with New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson (96) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Wilkerson was ejected from the game. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Eric Decker (87) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers' Morgan Burnett (42), Mike Daniels (76) and Datone Jones (95) celebrate after a play in the third quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Corey Linsley congratulate each other after the Packers scored on a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers tight end Andrew Quarless (81) and New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson (91) get into a scuffle at the end of a play in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson celebrate after hooking up for a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore (57) reacts before a field goal attempt by the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs towards the end zone for a 80-yard touchdown reception against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) brings down New York Jets running back Chris Ivory (33) in the third quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets running back Chris Johnson (21) in the fourth quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers linebacker Andy Mulumba (55) lays motionless on the ground after getting injured against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson gets away from New York Jets safety Antonio Allen (39) after making a catch in the fourth quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson runs with the ball after making a catch in the fourth quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson share smiles to the crowd as they walk off the field after Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Jets 31-24. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scrambles away from Demario Davis in the second quarter.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers knocks the ball from the hands of New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith. The play was ruled an incomplete pass.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson cruises to the end zone after catching a throw from Aaron Rodgers.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Eric Decker.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) jumps for a pass to running back Chris Johnson (21) against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field September 14, 2014. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) falls down while being chased New York Jets' Muhammed Wilkerson (96) and Demario Davis (56) in the first quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shouts instructions to his players in the first quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor (25) and quarterback Geno Smith (7) celebrate after a Jets touchdown during Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (87) tries to make a catch over New York Jets safety Antonio Allen (39) in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safeties Sam Shields (37) and Morgan Burnett (42) break up a fourth down pass to receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the end zone to seal the win against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) reacts after breaking up a play in the second quarter during Sunday's game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safety Morgan Burnett (42) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the second quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers safeties Sam Shields (37) and Morgan Burnett (42) break up a fourth down pass to receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) in the end zone to seal the win against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to make a pass against the New York Jets during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) tries to elude a New York Jets defender while making a run in the first quarter during Sunday's game at Lambeau Field. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media/@PGevansiegle

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) is pushed out of bounds by New York Jets cornerback Dee Milliner in the second quarter. Green Bay Packers against the New York Jets during the game on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. Kyle Bursaw / Press-Gazette Media / @kbursaw

Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) celebrates a fumble recovery that was eventually ruled an incomplete pass in the third quarter of the game. Kyle Bursaw / Press-Gazette Media / @kbursaw

Green Bay Packers' John Kuhn runs the ball against the New York Jets.
The Green Bay Packers host the New York Jets at Lambeau Field on September 14, 2014 in Green Bay, Wis.
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Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers found Nelson on the left side for 15 yards, pushing him over the 200 mark for the first time in his career. It was a big play for several reasons, most importantly sealing Green Bay's 31-24 win against the New York Jets before a home-opener crowd of 78,041 at Lambeau Field.

Those 15 yards also pushed Rodgers past former Packers quarterback Bart Starr on the franchise's career passing yardage. Rodgers is now No. 2 on the list, behind Brett Favre.

Later, Nelson called it an honor to be on the receiving end of his quarterback's career milestone. As Rodgers knelt twice to expire the clock, Nelson thought of his own.

In his first home game after signing a four-year contract extension worth $39 million in July, Nelson showed why those millions were put to good use.

"It's fun. It's enjoyable. It's what, I guess, needed to be done to win the game," Nelson said. "That's all that matters. If it proves your worth, I don't think that matters at all."

It was fitting Nelson and Rodgers reached separate milestones on the same play.

Together, the receiver and quarterback pulled Green Bay back from an 18-point, first-quarter deficit. There were the two catches for 30 yards in the second quarter, when the Packers began to turn momentum. There was the 80-yard touchdown in the third quarter, one play after a Jets field goal tied the score.

Before the game's deciding touchdown, Nelson knew a big play was brewing. He saw Jets cornerback Dee Milliner's backside facing the sideline. Nelson was running an out route, heading the opposite direction Milliner was looking.

He expected to cross up the defensive back, forcing him off balance.

"At that point, I was pretty confident we were going to be able to hit it," Nelson said. "Didn't know where the safety would be, whether he'd be playing over the top or what. Aaron threw it in a perfect spot for me to catch it, cut back and get the score."

From start to finish, Nelson was the security blanket Rodgers needed. When a big play was in demand, he was there.

CLOSE

Wes Hodkiewicz and Ryan Wood talk about the Green Bay Packers' 31-24 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday at Lambeau Field. (Sept. 14, 2014)

Nelson finished with nine catches for 209 yards and the touchdown. He was targeted 16 times, more than double any teammate.

"Jordy spoils us," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "He plays that way all the time. He practices the same way. He's just a clutch, clutch player."

The Packers' reliance on Nelson was the same game plan used in their opener against the Seattle Seahawks, with one significant difference.

In Seattle, Nelson stayed on the left, exclusively matched up against Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell. Without Richard Sherman shutting down half the field Sunday, Nelson was free to roam.

Nelson had his moments against Maxwell. In the end, Maxwell's interception on a pass that bounced through his hands was the defining play that led to 0-1.

The Packers had an extended week to prepare for the Jets. Nelson said he didn't think about the interception over the past 10 days. Regardless, his highlights against the Jets more than atoned for the opener.

"Jordy is so deceptive with everything that he does, he's really hard to guard," Adams said. "I feel bad for those DBs out there when a guy lines up across him because he makes things look exactly the same, so you don't know what he's doing. That's a milestone for him to reach the 200-yard mark. Converting at the end, and not going down when he catches the ball, that's what great players do."

Dressed in blue jeans and a green polo, the receiver was ushered into the main room for a formal postgame news conference Sunday. The spotlight was on him.

Nelson preferred it wasn't.

"I hate this," Nelson told reporters.

Eight minutes later, he exited. But not before wishing reporters a "great day." Nelson is blue collar. Despite a poster-boy smile, he prefers to speak in front of his locker, where he's not singled out from the team.

If he keeps this up, Nelson may have no choice. It's hard to catch 200 yards in the NFL and go unnoticed.

"He's pretty impressive," Rodgers said. "You take it for granted sometimes. He's not a big 'me' guy or pumping himself a lot, so he kind of gets overlooked at times. But we know around here what kind of player he is. The people in the league, I think, have a lot of respect for him too.